The San Antonio Spurs have a agreed a deal to sign Argentine guard Nicolas Laprovittola, according to league sources.
San Antonio Spurs Sign Argentine Guard Nicolas Laprovittola
Laprovittola, 26, is a point guard from Argentina and has played basketball in both Europe and South America. The Argentine entered the NBA Draft in 2012, but went undrafted. Laprovittola has plenty of basketball experience having played since 2007. Although it took Laprovittola until 2012 to make his senior debut for his national team. It would appear that Laprovittola’s timing was perfect, as he would go on to win gold in his first ever tournament with his home nation. Winning the 2012 South American Basketball Championship, would be the first of four medals won at the International level. Laprovittola would also represent Argentina at this year’s Rio Olympics.
The San Antonio Spurs will give Laprovittola a chance to win a roster spot during training camp. Head coach Gregg Popovich was reportedly impressed with Laprovittola during this years Olympics. Popovich also spoke to Laprovittola’s International teammate Manu Ginobili. Ginobili would have played an important role in getting Laprovittola this opportunity.
Laprovittola will be competing for the 15th place on the roster, and the role of backup point guard. The Spurs regularly sign international players and turn them into NBA success stories, with the most recent example being the 7’3” Boban Marjanovic. Marjanovic was a very solid bench contributor, averaging 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds. Marjanovic played less than 10 minutes per game least season, but recently signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Detroit Pistons.
Laprovittola has a chance to be the next name on a long list of international players to have success in San Antonio. He will have training camp and preseason to impress the Spurs hierarchy once more. The Spurs currently have five point guards on their roster, so Laprovittola will have a tough task on his hands to make the final 15 man roster. Rookies Dejounte Murray and Ryan Arcidiacono will be his biggest competition.
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